Battletech is the exciting and innovative role-playing game of a future world that combines non-stop action with state-of-the-art technology. To claim the title of MechWarrior, all Grayson Death Carlyle has to do is capture a giant killing machine--a BattleMech--by himself. That is, if it doesn't kill him first.

Community Reviews

A Battlemech pilot's father is killed (not a spoiler, because the book practically begins with the event), and he must take revenge while engaging in neo-feudal power plays typical of the Battletech universe. Said power plays are, unfortunately, rather uninteresting and confusing while still ostensibly relevant, and the revenge story is bog-standard.

The peripheral characters feel similarly irrelevant and two-dimensional, making it difficult to care about their fates, and all the setting expositA Battlemech pilot's father is killed (not a spoiler, because the book practically begins with the event), and he must take revenge while engaging in neo-feudal power plays typical of the Battletech universe. Said power plays are, unfortunately, rather uninteresting and confusing while still ostensibly relevant, and the revenge story is bog-standard.

The peripheral characters feel similarly irrelevant and two-dimensional, making it difficult to care about their fates, and all the setting exposition and dull fight scenes make the book feel like a scenario book or AAR.

At the very least the author tries to make the ending a little unconventional, but it cannot save the book from its flaws. Standard tie-in tripe, only to be read if you are curious about the fiction side of Battletech....more

The beginning of the Gray Death Legion is one of the first novels to expand on the Battletech role playing game. The great thing about the novels is that they stand apart from the tabletop game. No knowledge of the game is required. As one of the first, it's also one of the best jumping on points for new readers. There is a lot of game-established jargon here, but Keith Jr. does a wonderful job of explaining each term and providing just enough description to not read like a dictionary.

The novelThe beginning of the Gray Death Legion is one of the first novels to expand on the Battletech role playing game. The great thing about the novels is that they stand apart from the tabletop game. No knowledge of the game is required. As one of the first, it's also one of the best jumping on points for new readers. There is a lot of game-established jargon here, but Keith Jr. does a wonderful job of explaining each term and providing just enough description to not read like a dictionary.

The novel starts off a little slow and spends a bit too much time setting up characters that won't be seen or referenced for the rest of the novel, but once it gets going it doesn't stop. Indeed, beyond the politicing part of every Battletech novel, the true strength of the novel is in the action sequences. Keith Jr. takes us inside the cockpit of the Mech and his descriptions are fantastic. Action is difficult to convey using the written word, but Keith's visuals are vivid throughout.

Unfortunately the vilians aren't too fleshed out. They're simply there to set the plot in motion. In fact, even with superior Mech tonnage, numbers and training, they never feel very threatening. Still, the combat is the true star of the book and left me wanting to read the rest of the Gray Death series....more

I first read the Battletech series around 20 years ago when I was playing the boardgame that the series is based upon. Now much later I am reading them again and it is going to be interesting to see how they stand up.

Decision at Thunder Rift the first in the 7 book series about the Grey Death Legion. Grayson Death Carlyle is training to be a Mechwarrior in his father's regiment. They are garrisoned on the world of Trellwan a world of extremes where the year is 45 standard days long, and the dayI first read the Battletech series around 20 years ago when I was playing the boardgame that the series is based upon. Now much later I am reading them again and it is going to be interesting to see how they stand up.

Decision at Thunder Rift the first in the 7 book series about the Grey Death Legion. Grayson Death Carlyle is training to be a Mechwarrior in his father's regiment. They are garrisoned on the world of Trellwan a world of extremes where the year is 45 standard days long, and the day is 30 standard days long. After a sneak attack Grayson is left to survive alone.

This book is a good introduction to the Battletech universe with some decent character development and world building. The big problem is the ending. It seems as though the author suddenly discovered he was nearing the word limit, and had to wrap up the story quickly....more

It's Battletech Old School - and the Marauder is still the coolest looking mech around (even if the cover picture doesn't do it justice). As a straight piece of military sci fi this book does ok, but it's the Battlemech's themselves that are the stars, more so than the characters - had to give 4 stars just for nostalgia value.

Good, took a while to draw me in though. Excelled on the action scenes I thought, but it lacked a little when it came to character depth and development. It took longer than average for me to get through because it just didn't suck me in and make me want to read it until the book was over half finished.

OK, I gave up on this one as well. Not as horrible as "Sword & the Dagger," but still fairly dull. The next (in chronological order) trilogy is by Michael Stackpole, so that'll be my do or die series. If I can't stand it also, I guess Battletech is dead to me.

I wasn't sure what to expect from an old Battletech novel, but I remember Frank telling me this was a great book back in our high school days. Good lord was he right. I loved the characters, the combat was interesting, and the politics weren't overbearing, as I've seen in some of the later Battletech novels. I loved this one, both as historical background for Battletech and as a just-plain-fun action/adventure novel. Highly recommended if you can find a copy.

Following the exploits of a young mech-warrior who witnessed the virtual destruction of his mercenary unit, and the murder of his father, Decision at Thunder Rift introduces us to Grayson Death Carlyle and illustrates how simply doing what it takes to survive can turn an ordinary man into a hero.

Classic Battletech story. Reminds me so much of high school days gathered with friends pretending to battle with machines of destruction on a hex grid game board. Lovely action, drama, and explosive action. Definitely a keeper! =)

Good to get the history of the Gray Death Legion- though the writing style is a bit clunky at times. It feels like every female character he introduces must be dated by the third act. Still an enjoyable read, though.

Bill Keith was raised in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, and served in the Navy as a corpsman for many years. In addition to writing fiction and non-fiction works, he is an award-winning illustrator/artist.

He has also published under the psuedonyms:Ian Douglas (SF series: Heritage, Legacy, Inheritance, Star Carrier series)H. Jay Riker (SEALS:The Warrior Breed series)Keith Douglass (CarrierBill Keith was raised in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, and served in the Navy as a corpsman for many years. In addition to writing fiction and non-fiction works, he is an award-winning illustrator/artist.